CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – On November 24 of last year, Clarksville Police Department Officer Jeff Derico, representing the New Providence Community Policing Center (NPCPC), presented a bicycle to Ms. Larissa Taylor and her 17-year-old daughter, Amber Sky Yoho.
Ms. Taylor and her daughter qualified for a bicycle, due to their circumstances. Their main source of transportation had been their feet and the bus, until they were given the bicycle.
On Wednesday, May 27, Amber contacted Officer Derico stating that the bicycle had been stolen on Friday, May 22. She gave him a photo of her bike and he made it his mission to find it. Officer Derico spotted the bike on May 28, but by the time turned his vehicle around to locate it, it was already gone from its previous location. Officer Derico gave the description and last known location of the bike over the police radio so that other Officers could join in on the search. Officer Ivan Szczerbiak then spotted a juvenile riding the bike. After Officer Szczerbiak made contact with the juvenile, it was determined that he was not the suspect who stole the bike, and was willing to give it back to its rightful owner.
Officers Derico and Szczerbiak brought the stolen bike back to Ms. Taylor and Amber, as well as brand new one with a security cable and lock. As the officers advised, Ms. Taylor and Amber took photos of both bikes and recorded the serial numbers. They were very excited, and both have bikes for transportation to go to the store and run various errands for their family. The officers left them with huge smiles on their faces.
The New Providence Community Policing Center, along with Goodwill Industries and other local organizations that support it, continues to assist families in need.